Vegetable Garden Planting - Garden Mulch Saves You Time And Money
A key ingredient in successful vegetable garden planting is mulch. Mulches are simply coverings placed over cultivated soil and around plants. Not only are they extremely beneficial in the process of successfully growing healthy vegetables but they will also save you money by reducing your water bill and cut down the time you spend weeding.
There are basically two types of mulch: organic and inorganic. Organic mulches include compost, leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, straw and newspaper. Inorganic mulches, on the other hand, can be stone, gravel, pebbles and recycled rubber.
Good gardeners all over the world understand the value of a good mulch because they know it is a vital component of a healthy garden, especially if you're cultivating plants in a harsh climate, subject to abnormal hot weather and drought conditions.
Take weeds, for example. Not only are they a nuisance for gardeners but they deprive your vegetable plants of water and nutrients. We hate it but we all know that we have to get rid of them. Pulling them out is always an option but tedious. But, no mattter what, don't be tempted to use nasty chemicals to eliminate weeds. Instead, try mulching. Weed seeds need sunlight to germinate and grow and, therefore, if you reduce the amount of sunlight reaching them, you will reduce weeds in your garden. And, that's exactly what mulch will do for you. It will act as a barrier between the weed seeds in the soil and the sunlight and, hence, suppress weed growth. The result is you won't have to spend as much time pulling weeds out.
Another benefit of mulching is it helps keep the soil in your garden moist and prevents rapid evaporation. This means that you don't need to water your vegetable plants as much and, obviously, you will save money on your water bill. We all want that in these rough times.
Additionally, mulch will maintain the temperature of your soil at a constant level, acting as insulation against the cold and heat. Consequently, you will have ideal conditions in which to plant and grow vigorous vegetable plants.
Remember that organic mulches will eventually break down and incorporate into the soil, adding extra organic matter. This will definitely improve the soil structure and drainage as well as attract earthworms. That's why organic mulches will always be my preferred option. Speaking of which, let me give you a tip: mushroom compost is without a doubt the best for your veggie patch.
So, when you embark on your vegetable garden planting project, make sure that you consider the many benefits and advantages of using a good, organic mulch in your garden. If you do, don't be surprised if your vegetables turn out to be tender, tasty and far superior to what most supermarkets are selling.
